Someone notices a need
A volunteer submits a case through the member portal, or a person asks for help for themselves on this website. They describe what's happening, where, and how urgent it is.
Who: volunteers, or the person who needs help
No mystery, no middlemen
How a case goes from a need to a result
Every case follows the same path, and every step is visible on the case page. Here's what happens, and who does what.
- 1
- 2
A careful review
Continental coordinators read the case and decide whether our volunteers can solve it together. If we can't help, we explain why.
Who: continental coordinators - 3
A plan of action
For accepted cases, the coordinators set out the solution, timeframe, duration, and exactly what a successful result looks like. The plan is published on the case page.
Who: continental coordinators - 4
The community teams up
Volunteers and ambassadors from anywhere in the world can ask to join, saying whether they'd help on the ground or remotely, why they want to join, and what they can bring. The coordinators choose the team up to the number of spots the case needs, and appoint a case leader.
Who: volunteers, ambassadors and coordinators - 5
The work and the updates
The team gets to work. The case leader keeps everyone on track, talks with the coordinators when needed, and posts a status update roughly every week.
Who: the case team and case leader - 6
The Xtra Mile
If the problem could come back, the team helps the person or family make a simple plan to take ownership of what comes next.
Who: the case team, with the person helped - 7
A final report
When the goal is reached, the case leader submits a final report. The coordinators confirm it, and it's published for everyone to see.
Who: case leader and coordinators
Who does what
Volunteers
Spot people who need help, submit cases, and do the hands-on work in case teams.
Ambassadors
Share cases, updates and reports, pass on new cases, suggest activities and events, and can become part of coordination.
Case leaders
Volunteers appointed to guide a team, post updates and write the final report.
Continental coordinators
Review cases, set the plan of action, appoint case leaders and confirm results.
Questions people ask us
Does XtraMiles collect or give out money?
No. We focus on cases our community can solve together with time, skills and donated materials. We don't ask for donations, and we don't hand out cash.
What kinds of cases do you take on?
Disaster relief, education, healthcare, food security, water and sanitation, shelter and more. If a case is something new, the continental coordinators decide whether it fits.
How long does a review take?
We aim to review every case within a few days. Urgent cases are looked at first.
Can I join a case in another country?
Yes. XtraMiles is one worldwide family. You can help on the ground if you're nearby, or remotely from wherever you are: organising, finding materials, translating, or spreading the word. Send a request in the member portal, and the continental coordinator will let you know if you're on the team.
What do you publish about the people you help?
Only what they agree to. We use first names, never exact addresses, and no photos without permission.
Are the roles paid?
No. Every role at XtraMiles is voluntary. But volunteers, ambassadors and continental coordinators who show continued effort and good work can be recognised with sponsored goods from our sponsors, as a thank-you rather than payment.